A murmur of rage at the prisoner's audacity ran through the crowd, as they pressed close about him.
"Is not this enough?" cried Simon, putting his hand to his sword as if he himself would serve as executioner on the spot.
Judas raised his hand. The angry multitude moved back, yet every man stood ready to be the minister of Judas' vengeance the moment the signal should be given.
"Captain Dion," said the judge, "I did not ask you to either confirm or deny what these true men of Israel have said. Your confirmation would not add a feather's weight to their veracity, nor would the denial of ten thousand Greeks shake our confidence in them. I ask not your testimony, but your explanation."
"We need no explanation," muttered Eliezar.
"Let him explain when his dead lips can talk; they can't lie. But the Greek who is to be believed does not live," said another.
"Silence!" cried Judas, and his men slunk away under his indignant look, as hounds when whipped back from the prey they have caught and are waiting to tear.
Judas again addressed the prisoner:
"Captain Dion, by the gateway after Emmaus you gave me your hand in voluntary alliance. No one compelled that act. I then believed yours to be an honest hand. I will not now fling it from me unless you yourself shall show that it is unworthy another honest man's touch. Explain your conduct at Bethzur."
Dion advanced a step. He bowed very low.